n regiment. What was it? The hour of redemption was close at
hand though he knew it not. A few minutes later a corporal with another
man stood before him.

"Picket! Orders from headquarters brought by an officer!" cried the
corporal. The relief had come! The man who but a second since stood on
the bleak, dreary shore of despair, felt himself recalled to life at the
sound.

He started to follow the corporal, when the other man, an officer also,
stepped forward.

"Let the corporal go on. I wish to speak to you alone, Tanner. Follow
me!"

Prince Adelsberg, who wished no witnesses, stepped into the little
church, and Hartmut followed him. The pale moonlight entering through
the open window showed only disorder and confusion. The roof had been
pierced by a cannon ball, which had shattered pulpit and desk as well;
only the little altar, in its quiet niche, remained undisturbed.

Egon stepped into the middle of the room, then he turned and said:

"Hartmut!"

"Herr lieutenant?"

"Drop that now; we are alone. I did not think we would see one another
so soon again."

"And I hoped it would have been spared me, too," said Hartmut gloomily.
"You come--"

"From headquarters, I heard that you were on picket duty on Chapel
mountain. A fearful night for such a service."

Hartmut was silent. No need to say that had he not been roused it would
have been his last. Egon glanced uneasily at him; despite the uncertain
light he saw how exhausted and spent the man before him was as he leaned
against a pillar as if needing support.

"I came with a commission which you can accept or not as you see fit,"
he began again. "The thing is almost impossible, would be altogether so
for any one but you. You have the courage, but whether, after all your
exertions you have the strength, is another question."

"A quarter of an hour of warmth and some refreshment will bring back my
strength. What is it?"

"A ride of life and death. To take some intelligence to R---- through
the mountain pass just where the enemy lies."

"To the front!" cried Hartmut; "that's where--"

"General Falkenried is with his brigade. He is lost if the news does not
reach him. We put the means of saving his life in the hands of his son!"

Hartmut grasped his friend's arm. He was all excitement and anxiety in
an instant.

"I can save my father? I? What has happened? What am I to do?"

"Listen. The prisoner which you sent to us this evening has made some
terribl